ELEMENTS OF PRESS TOOL 

BASE PLATE
It is also called as die shoe or bolsters plate. Its main function is to provide a
rigid foundation or base to the assembly. It assembles the fixed half of the tool.
Material: MS or CI. 

TOP PLATE
It is the top portion of the complete tool, which holds the top assembly or
complete Tool through the punch holder.
Material: MS or CI. 

GUIDE PILLAR
These are cylindrical pins known as guide pins or guide pillars. These provide
accurate alignment to the die set. The contacting surface of pillars and guide
bushes have h7/h6 fit where as the press fitted portion of the bush with top plate
have h7/j5 tolerance and are ground. One end of pillar press 

fitted in the base plate with h7/p6 tolerance. The other portion, which is sufficient
long, provides guide for top plate for easy sliding.

Material: Case Hardened steel. IS: 17Mn1Cr95 HRC: 56-58.

GUIDE BUSH

These are mounted on the top plates, which provide smooth sliding contact between
pillars and top plates.
Material: Case Hardened Steel IS: 17Mn1Cr95 HRC: 56-58

DIE
A complete tool consisting of a pair or a combination of pairs of mating
members for producing work in presses. It includes well supporting and
actuating part of the tool. It is a female part of a complete die.
Material: HCHCr IS: T215Cr12 HRC: 58-60
PUNCH
It is a male member of a complete dies which mates or acts in conjunction
with the female die to provide a desired effect upon the material being worked.
Material: HCHCr IS: T215Cr12 HRC: 60-62
PUNCH HOLDER
It is a plate, which holds the punch.
Material: OHNS IS: T110w2Cr1

SHANK
This is a projection from the upper shoe which enters the press slide flange
recess and is clamped to the slide or press ram.

Material: MS IS: ST 42

PUNCH BACK PLATE

It is a plate that supports the punch and is situated behind the punch holder
plate. It avoids the dent marks that may produce during operation to the top plate.
Material: OHNS IS: T110w2Cr1

STRIPPER PLATE
It is a plate solid or movable used to strip the work piece or part from the
punch. It may or may not guide the stock.

Material: MS IS: ST 42

TYPES:
1. Fixed or close or box stripper
2. Traveling or floating stripper
STRIP GUIDE
In press tool the long pre-sheared stock strip to be fed through out the die
surface. The strip guide combines the two metal strips or parallel blocks, which
are screwed and doweled on the die surface in alignment with the die parameters.
It acts as a gauge. It is one of the important elements of the progressive tools
with fixed as well as floating stripper.
Material: Gauge Steel HRC: 48-50
SHEDDERS
It is used to expel the work piece from the die cavity. Shedder actuation may be
achieved by

1. Pneumatic cylinder or cushion

2. Hydraulic cylinders or cushion
3. Rubber pads
4. Springs
Material: OHNS IS: T110w2Cr1 HRC: 58-60

PILOTS
Pilots are used to align the components accurately for secondary operation